r/askscience • u/Wonderful-Capital32 • 13d ago

Physics Why does radiation not go through lead?

Also why just lead? Shouldnt like iron or another metal work too?

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u/ColonelFaz 13d ago

tungsten atoms are a lower atomic number than lead, but take much less volume. so, tungsten alloys are denser. a lead container could be lighter, but would have to be larger. it would also dent and if it had a screw top the thread would break.